Thyroid hormone stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) by immature rat Sertoli cells.
The effects of thyroid hormone on insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) production by Sertoli cells isolated from immature rats have been investigated. In Sertoli cells from hypothyroid rats the production of IGF-I was significantly lower than in controls and was greatly stimulated by the administration of triiodothyronine (T3) in vivo. The in vitro addition of physiological doses of T3 (1 nmol/l) significantly increased the production of IGF-I by cultured Sertoli cells indicating a direct action of the hormone on local IGF-I production. Our results suggest the involvement of IGF-I in the thyroid hormone-dependent maturation of testicular function.
Palmero
S
S
Istituto di Fisiologia Generale, Università di Genova, Italy.
Prati
M
M
Barreca
A
A
Minuto
F
F
Giordano
G
G
Fugassa
E
E
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013002:Somatomedins; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D003513:Cycloheximide